What You Need to Know Before Starting a Closet Remodel
Give your closet the facelift it deserves
Highlights
On average, a closet remodel costs $10 to $25 per square foot.
Custom closets are more expensive than pre-fabricated kits.
DIYing can help save on costs but may not get you the best use of space.
Measure your closet, make a budget, and evaluate your closet priorities.
Closet remodeling may not seem like the biggest priority when it comes to home renovations, but there’s no understating the impact a project like this can have. Starting the day in a mess or scrambling to find an outfit can be frustrating, but all it takes is a little TLC and the right closet system to turn that all around.
Before you dive into a closet remodel, it’s smart to know whether you can do the job yourself or hire a remodeling pro, and how to pick the correct dimensions. With some help from this guide, your dream closet won’t just be a dream for long.
What Does a Closet Remodel Involve?
Closet remodels can be big or small and will depend on factors like your budget, available space, your personal belongings, and whether you can DIY or prefer to have a pro build a custom design.
For instance, a professional could break down walls and transform a reach-in closet into a walk-in closet. But if you can’t make such large changes because of budget or space limitations, you could update the space with built-in shelves, or look into pre-fabricated systems that offer similar benefits.
Alternatively, you could develop and build a custom design, or hire a pro to make and build a one that’s tailor-made to your needs. Say you have a lot of shoes but not enough storage, or too many clothes and never enough rack space—with a closet remodel, you can prioritize what’s most important to you.
What to Do Before Remodeling a Closet
Check these tasks off of your closet remodeling to-do list before breaking any ground.
Measure Your Current Closet
Knowing what you’re working with is the key to making the best possible changes. Start by removing everything from your closet so nothing gets in your way while you take measurements. Then, take note of the closet dimensions—its depth, length, and width—as well as any potential obstructions, like outlets, light switches, and door stops.
Take Stock of Your Belongings
After you’ve removed everything from your closet, it's the perfect moment to take stock of what you have. This will give you an idea of what you should prioritize when looking for or designing a closet system. It’s also a great time to set aside any old and unwanted items you’d like to donate.
Develop a Budget
Now that you know what you have and what you need, it’s time to see how much it’s all going to cost and what you’re able to spend. The cost of building a brand new closet depends on whether it’s a custom design, which is pricier than a pre-fabricated system. You’ll pay more for anything involving demolition and construction, like turning a reach-in closet into a walk-in wardrobe.
Choose Between DIY and Hiring a Pro
Whether you choose to do this project yourself or hire a closet maker near you will depend on your budget and your building skills. Setting up pre-fabricated systems is fairly straightforward, but unique spaces benefit from the touch of a trained handyperson who can find the best layout for your situation.
Types of Closet Systems
The main types of closets include reach-in standalone or built-in closets and walk-in closets, but there are a few different systems that can exist within them.
Prefabricated: These systems just need to be assembled before popping them into your closet, but everything else is already made and ready to go.
Custom: Entirely custom-made, these systems are more pricey because they’re designed to fit perfectly into your unique space and accommodate your exact needs.
Semi-custom: A mix of both prefabricated and custom, these systems allow you to prioritize certain elements—like a special fold-out ironing board or extra-large shoe rack—and save on costs for the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost to remodel a closet is about $10 to $25 per square foot, though the project can range from as little as $150 to as much as $12,000, depending on the extent of your changes. For instance, swapping out a few shelves and racks won’t make a huge dent financially but can significantly improve the organization. On the flip side, demolishing and rebuilding a custom closet from scratch will put you on the higher end of this range, while installing a pre-fabricated system will put you in the middle.
How many days it takes to remodel a closet will also depend on the scale of the project. Small changes like installing a prefab kit will eat up an afternoon and no more, while a total renovation could require several days to a week. If you’re planning for the latter, plan to secure other sleeping arrangements while construction is ongoing.